carcommander

I just bought a 09 to replace my 06 spent a while looking for the right one.

sf65

Congrats. The same idea cross my mind few times already.

How hard was to find one in good condition? how much did you have to add?

As for your question, here is the answer from PrivateLounge thread http://www.mercedes-amg.com/privatel...ead.php?t=1202

These are sales numbers, US only by model year.

SL 65 AMG

2005 651
2006 390
2007 144
2008 120
2009 125

carcommander

It was hard to find a 09 with less than 10K at a reasonable (sort of) price.

With less than 10k and in good color (mine is designo graphite) the going seems to be about 125. I paid a little less than that. I have been looking for the right car at the right price for a year. I don't know what the delta will be right now. I have my 06 SL65 up for sale on the bay. It's a great car. With 64K on it. I expect the delta to be 70 to 75K. My 06 has been trouble free.

sf65

Thanks for the info.
Would love to hear your impression of the '09 .vs. '06 "benefits". We can do the financial math along the lines of changes in anual deprecation .vs. far lower maintenance costs/risk. I'm in CA, so I would be hit by a one time ~9% cost in addition to the transaction cost.

You get a newer car, very similar mechanically, what else?

carcommander

It would have been cheaper financially to keep my 06. Maintainance costs are cheaper than depreciation.

The car feels a little tighter as it should. The nav system and stereo are a little better. Cosmetics are different of course.

The driving experience is the same. The distronic and pano roof are nice.

I did it because I could not because there was any real rationalization for it. I thought it would be fun to have the 09 cosmetics.